Hydraulic jack



Oct. 22, 1935. w. T. WALKER HYDRAULIC JACK Filed Feb. 18, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l M an arm 09 22/2 737 W. T. WALKER HYDRAULIC JACK Oct. 22, 1935.

Filed Feb. 18, 1935 i 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 22, 1935. w. T; WALKER 2,018,506

HYDRAULIC JACK Filed Feb. 18, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 74 w v r v i 29 4 E ii N "wmm r, W W

a"? 50 271 mi? 40" J0 @lZ/ard J. Wier T3 Patented Oct. 22, 1935 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC JACK Application February 18, 1935, Serial No. 6,975 15 Claims. (o1.254-9s) This inv ntion relates to a new and improved hydraulic jack, and more particularly to an im-. proved jack of this type that is adapted to be used not only in a vertical position as a lifting jack,. but also in a horizontal position so as to exert a lateral spreading pressure.

Briefly described, the hydraulic pump mechanism for projecting the ram from the cylinder is of known construction, except foran improved form of suction conduits for supplying oil from the reservoir to the pump. More specifically, alternative valve-controlled suction passages are providcd so that the pressure-liquid will be drawn from the lowermost portion of the reservoir with the jack in either of two alternate operating positions so that the pump operating handle may be positioned on either side of the jack. The jack is also provided with an improved handle mechanism for supporting the jack in horizontal position. this handle being movable to alternative positions spaced substantially 180 from one another circumfercntially of the jack so that the pump operating handle may be positioned selectively at either side of the jack.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved jack of the type briefly described hercinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide an improved means for supporting the jack in alternative horizontal positions with-the operating handle at either side of the jack.

Another object is to provide an improved form of hydraulic pumping mechanism for forcing oil from the reservoir to the ram cylinder with the jack in different alternative horizontal positions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of jack cons ructed and operating according to the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the jack when in use. in a horizontal position.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the jack when positioned vertically, this view being taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. l, but with the handle in a different position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical section taken substantially on the line Q-d of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4. The central right hand portion of Fig. 5 is taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of. one of the valve members shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section, taken substan- 5 tially on the line 'l of Fig. 5.

Fig. Bis a detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 88 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the releasing valve shown in Fig. 8. I a

Fig. 10- is a perspective view of the jack-engaging end portion of the operating handle. v

The jack comprises a base member I, in which the tubular open-ended pressure cylinder 2 is screwed at 3. The outer tubular casing member i 4 is screwed at 5 into base I so as to enclose the annular reservoir 6 between the two tubular members 2 and 4. The jack is closed at the top by the cap member l which screws at 8 about the upper end of casing 4, and which is hollowed out at 9 to fit about the upper end in of pressure cylinder 2. The tubular ram II is slidable through a packing l2 secured in the central opening in the cap I by means of the annular gland or nut l3. A closure plug it fitted in the lower end of ram H has a downwardly projectingthreaded stem ill on which is screwed the nut iii to hold in place the packing cup l1 and washer l8 which fit tightly within the bore of cylinder 2 to form a piston at the lower end of ram H. The oil or other suitable liquid l9 housed in reservoir 8 is forced by the pump mechanism, hereinafter described, into the space 20 in cylinder 2 beneath the piston so as to force the ram upwardly and thus lift the load. The load supporting cap or rest 2i is formed at the upper end of a screw 22 threaded into a nut 23 formed in the upper end of ram ll. This inner screw-extension may be spun up or down mam ually to provide an initial adjustment of the jack before the load is engaged and elevated.

A filling opening in the upper side portion of reservoir 5 is normally closed by the screw-plug 2 3. The overflow through this opening will determine the proper liquid level in the reservoir before the. plug it is inserted.

The vertically extending pump cylinder 25 is screwed at its lower end into a socket 25 formed in base I. The pump piston 21 is provided with a suitable piston packing 2d at its lower end fitting slidably within the bore of cylinder 25. Piston 2?? is siidable through a suitable packing 29 secured in place at the upper end of cylinder 25 by the threaded cap member 30. The upper end of piston 2'? is pivotally connected by pin 3| with the handle-socket 32 having a yoke-shaped inner end portion 33, the arms of which are pivoted at 34 to .a pair of similar vertically extending links 35, the lower ends of which are pivoted at 36 to the sides of base The links 35 support the pivotal axis 34 for the operating handle, and at thus reduce the lateral dimensions of thejack and provide a more compact assembly.

The inner end portion of the operating handle 31 (see especially Figs. 2 and 10) is in the form -of a tubular pipe section, and is provided with bayonet slots 38 adapted to engage over and lock about a cross pin 39 secured in handle socket 32.

A passage 40 extends vertically downward through base I from the pump-socket 26 (see Fig. 2), the lower end of this socket being closed by a screw plug 4| which supports the spring 42 holding ball valve 43 against its seat 44 in passage 40. A lateral passage 45 extends inward from passage 40 (above the valve 43) and communicates with a cross-passage 46. The outer end of passage 45 is closed by a screw plug 41, and a ball valve 48 is adapted to engage valve seat .49 to cut off communication between passages 40 and 45. The outer end portions of cross passage 48 connect with the large passages or valve housings 50 (see Fig. 5) from which smaller passages 5| extend rearwardly so as to connect with the outer end portions 52 of a crosspassage 53 which forms a downward extension of the reservoir 6. It will be noted that when the jack is. placed in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1, or in a similar horizontal position with the pump and operating handle at the other side of the jack, one or the-other of the passage extensions 52 will form the lowermost portion of reservoir 6 into which the oil or other operating liquid will drain. The two valve assemblies 54 (see Figs. 4, 5, and 6) each comprise an inner conical valve member 55 adapted to engage the valve seat 55 formed at the juncture of passages 5|! and 5|. Each valve assembly 54 is also formed with a threaded portion 56 screwing internally into the annular nut 51 threaded into the outer -tion, the valve 55 may be removed from valve seat 55"to permit a flow of oil through the passages.

A tubular screen 60 is secured in place at the intake end of each passage 5| by means of the outer screw plug'Gl.

Assuming that one of the valves 55 is open, on the up or suction stroke of pump piston 21 oil .will be drawn from reservoir extension 53 through screen 68 and passages 5|, 46 and 45, dislodging the ball valve 48 and flowing upwardly through passage 40 into the pump cylinder. When the jack is used in its normal vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2, both of the valves 54 may be left open. 1

On the next or downward stroke of the pump, the oil drawn into the pump cylinder as thus described will be forced downwardly through passage 40, thus forcing the valve 48 against its seat 49 to prevent return of the oil to the reser- 5 voir, and opening the valve 43 against the resistance of spring 42 so that this oil will be forced through passages 62 and 63 into the lower-end 20 of the main cylinder, thus elevating the ram will draw further charges of oil from reservoir 6 and force this oil into ,he main cylinder 2 to further elevate the load-lifting ram.

In order to lower the jack the valve mechanism best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is provided. 15 Passage 64 leading downwardly from chamber .20 is connected by passage 65 with the passage 66 which extends upwardly into the bottom of reservoir 6. The conical valve 61 is normally forced against the valve seat 68 to cut oil? the 20 flow of oil between'passage's 65 and 66. The valve 61 is carried'at the inner, end of a valve stem provided with a threaded portion 69 adapted to engage in a threaded passage .10 in the base extends out through packing 12 held in place by nut 13 also threaded into the base member. The ogterating head 14 at the outer end of this valve assembly is provided with a cross pin I5. When the jack is to be lowered, the operating handle 30 31 is removed from the handle socket 32 and engaged over the head 14 with slots 38 extending about the projecting end portions of pin 15. By turning-handle 31 in the proper direction, the valve assembly is screwed out so as to partially 35 withdraw valve 61 from its seat 68 and permit oil from chamber 20 beneath the ram to be forced through passages 64, 85 and 66 back into the reservoir.

A second set of passages .15, I1 and 18 (see 40 Fig. 7), quite similar to the passages 64, 65 and 66, are provided in the opposite side of the base member. A ball valve 18 is normally held against the valve seat at the exit end of passage 11,, by means of the cup-shaped plunger 8| slidablc 45 in passage 82 in the base member. A rather strong compression spring 83 is confined between the plunger 8| and a nut 84 threaded within the outer portion of passage 82. The outer end of passage 82 is normally closed by the removable '50 disc 85. The assembly just described operates as a safety valve. When the pressure developed under the lifting ram exceeds a certain predetermined pressure, the ball valve I9 will be pushed from its seat against the resistance of spring 83 55 so that oil from chamber 20 can flow back through passages 18, TI and 18 into the reservoir. The pressure at which this safety valve will open can be predetermined or adjusted by screwing the nut 84 in orout in passage 82. 60

It is sometimes desirable to use a jack of this type in a horizontal position, for example as shown in Fig. 1. One example of such a use is when straightening an automobile frame. To accomplish this a strong lateral or sidewise pres- 65 sure must be exerted against a portion of the frame. If the jack is suspended, as shown in Fig. l, and the bottom of base I placed against some rigid member and the rest 2| engaged against the side of the member to be bent or 70.

Successive operations of the pump piston 1:

A smooth portion 1| of the valve stem 25 a I handle at one side of the jack and sometimes more convenient to have it at the other side. This will depend largely upon the space available for swingingthe handle. In order to conveniently suspend the jack in this horizontal position, the

sling or handle indicated generally at 86 is provided. This bail-shaped handle comprises the hand grip 81 from the ends of which portions 88 and 89 extend inwardly toward the jack and are provided with loops SI and 92 slidably encircling suitable portions of the jack structure. In the example here shown, the upper loop 92 is fitted slidably within a groove 93 formed in cap memher I so as to prevent disengagement of the handle assembly lengthwise of the jack. It will now be apparent that the jack can be suspended from handle 86 with the operating handle 31 extending toward the observer, as in Fig. 1, or if desired the jack may be rotated through 180 within the supporting loops 9| and 92 so that the handle will extend at'the other side of the jack away from the observer.

It will be apparent that with the jack in one of these two horizontal positions one end 52 of the reservoir extension 53 will be lowermost, and with the jack in the other horizontal position, the other end of this reservoir extension will be lowermost. In whichever of these positions the jack is placed, the valve 55 which is uppermost will be closed tight by screwing down the knob 59, thus closing this uppermost suction passage but leaving open the lower passage which communicates with the lowermost portion of the reservoir. In this manner the pump suction will be maintained in communication with the liquid supply in the reservoir, and the communication with the air space above this liquid will be cut off. Preferably a suitable inscription will be applied to the outer end of each knob 59 so as toplainly indicate how these valves should be manipulated. An example of such printed directions is indicated on Fig. 1.

It will be noted that a clearance 94 is provided between the ram II and cylinder 2 above the piston, and any oil-that may-leak through above the piston will be forced from this space through opening 95 provided in the upper end of cylinder 2, back into the reservoir 6.

I claim:

1. A lifting jack comprising a casing and lifting element adapted to be projected therefrom, an operating handle connected with the casing at one side thereof, means operable by this handle to project the lifting element when the jack is in alternative horizontal positions with the handle at either side of the jack, and a carrying handle adapted to suspend the jackin a horizontal position with the operating handle at either side of the jack'comprising a handgrip and means movably connecting this grip portion with the casing so that the handle may be moved to alternate positions circumferentially of the casing.

2. A lifting jack comprising a casing and a lifting element adapted to be projected therefrom, an operating handle connected with the' casing at one side thereof, means operable by this handle to project the lifting element when the jack is in alternative horizontal positions with the handle at either side of the jack, and a carrying handle adapted to suspend the jack in a horizontal position with the operating handle at either side of the jack comprising a handgrip and means extending from the hand-grip and looped about the casing so that the handle may be moved to alternate positions circumferentially of the casing. e g 3. A lifting jack comprising a casing and a lifting element adapted to be projected therefrom,

an operating handle connected with the casing at one side thereof, means operable by this handle to project the lifting element when the jack is in alternative horizontal positions with the handle at either side of the jack, and a carrying handle adapted to suspend the-jack in a hori- .handle may be movedto alternate positions circumferentiallyof the casing.-

4. A lifting jack comprising a casing and a lift- .z'ng element adapted to be projected therefrom, an operating handle. connected with the casing at one side thereof, meansoperable by this handle to project the lifting element when the jack is in alternative horizontal positions with the handle at either side of the jack, and a carrying sling adapted to suspend the jack in a horizontal position, the jack being rotatable within the sling so that the operating handle may be selectively positioned at either side of the suspended jack.

enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, a lifting ram in the cylinden'a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump, valved passages connecting the pump with the cylinder and reservoir so that the jack is operative in aternative horizontal positions with the operating handle at either side of the jack, and a carrying handle for suspending the jack in horizontal position, the carrying handle being movably connected with the casing so that the operating handle may be selectively positioned at either side of the suspended jack.

6. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a casing enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, alifting ram in the cylinder, a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump, valved passages connecting the pump with the cylinder and reservoir so that the jack is operative in alternative horizontal positions with the operating handle at either side of the jack. and

a carrying handle for suspending the jack in operating handle may be selectively positioned at either side of the suspended jack, this carrying handle comprising a handegrip and means extending from the hand-grip and looped about the casing.

'7. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a casing enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, a lifting ram in the cylinder, a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump, valved passages connecting the pump with the cylinder and reservoir so that the jack is operative in alternative horizontal positions with the operating handie at either side of the jack, and a carrying handle for suspending the jack in horizontal position, the carrying handle being movably connected with the casing so that the operating handle may be selectively positioned at either side of the suspended jack. this carrying handle comprising a bail-shaped hand-grip extending longitudinally of the casing, and loops extending from the ends of the bail and slidably encircling the casing.

5. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a casing either side of the suspended jack, and fluid cir,-' eulation passages formed in the casing and connecting the reservoir, pump and cylinder, the passages comprising a pair of similar suction passages connecting the reservoir and pump, the respective passages leading from opposite sides of the reservoir so that one of the passages will extend from the lower portion of the reservoir,

when the jack is supported in either of its alternative horizontal positions, and a pair of-cut-o valves, one in each passage.

9. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a casing enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, a lifting ram in the cylinder, a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump, a carrying handle for supporting the jack inhori- .zontal position, the carrying handle being movably connected with the casing so that the operating handle may be selectively positioned at either side of the suspended jack, this carrying handle comprising a bail-shaped hand-grip extending longitudinally of the easing, and loops extending from the ends of the bail and slidably encircling the casing, and fluid circulation passages connecting the reservoir, pump and cylinder, the passages comprising a pair of similar suction passages connecting the reservoir and pump, the respective passages leading from opposite sides of the reservoir so that one of the passages will extend from the lower portion of the reservoir when the jack is supported in either of its alternative horizontal positions, and a'p'air of cut-oil valves, one in each passage.

10. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a casing enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, a lifting ram in the cylinder, a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump and fluid circulation passages connecting the reservoir, pump and cylinder, the passages comprising a pair of similar suction passages leading from opposite sides of the reservoir so that one or the other of the passages will extend from the lower aoiaaoe portion of the reservoir when the jack is posltioned horizontally with the operating handle at either side of the jack,,and a pair of cut-oil valves, one in each passage.

11. A hydraulic lifting jack comprising a cas- 5 ing enclosing a cylinder and a reservoir, a lifting ram in the cylinder, a pump at one side of the casing, an operating handle for the pump and fluid circulation passages connecting the reser-v voir, pump and cylinder, the passages being so der and pump and so arranged that the normally vertically positioned jack may also be operated in more than one horizontal position, and a single means for supporting the jack in each of the horizontal positions. 4 r

13. A hydraulic jack assembly comprising 9.3 reservoir, a pressure cylinder, 9, ram, a pump, and valved passages connecting the reservoir, cylin der and pump and including alternative suction passages leading from opposed portions of the reservoir so that the jack may be operated in a plurality of different substantially horizontal positions.

14. A hydraulic jack assembly comprising a reservoir, a pressure cylinder, 9. ram, a pump, valved passages connecting thereservoir, cylinder and pump and including alternative suction passages leading from opposed portions of the reservoir so that the jack may be operated in a plurality of different substantially horizontal positions, and a cut-01f valve in each of these passages.

15. A hydraulic Jack assembly comprising a reservoir, a pressure cylinder, a ram, a pump, valved passages connecting the reservoir, cylin-' der and pump and including alternative suction passages leading from opposed portions of the reservoir so that the jack may be operated in a plurality of different substantially horizontal positions, and a single means for supporting the jack in each of these horizontal positions.

WILLARD T. WALKER. 

